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Update 5:21 p.m.: An eyewitness to Saturday's violence in Huntington Beach tells NBC Los Angeles that teens suspected of attacking a man with their skateboarders were, at least initially, attempting to defend themselves. According to their report:

Collin Mammolite, 19, who saw the fight, said the woman's boyfriend came armed with a screwdriver and went after one of the teens

Mammolite went on to tell NBC Los Angeles the teens were attempting to defend themselves, and that those who were taken into custody "had nothing to do with it."

9:16 a.m.: Huntington Beach police say a 25-year-old man is in critical condition after he was beaten by a group of minors, who used their skateboards as weapons.

The incident took place at Huntington Beach's Murdy Park at 7 p.m. Saturday, where police say a woman was attempting to break up a fight between two groups of skateboarders. When the groups turned on her, police say her boyfriend attempted to intervene. According to Huntington Beach Police:

The female’s boyfriend, a male adult, came to help her and the juveniles attacked the adult male. The group of juveniles chased the victim across the street and into a laundry mat on the corner of Goldenwest Street and Warner Avenue.

The man was beaten severely with skateboards. CBS Los Angeles puts the number of attackers at nearly 40. He's currently in critical condition at UCI Medical Center.

Police say they've detained 7 suspects in the attack, and booked four of them for attempted murder — all four are minors currently on probation for other crimes.

The identity of the attackers, and of the victims has not yet been released.